Week 10 Running Back Rankings

1 Ladanian Tomlinson, KC @ SD, LT faces off against the worst rushing defense in the league. He may not have been putting up the same numbers as 2006 so far this year, but look for huge production out of the former fantasy stud against a pathetic Chiefs defense.

2 Adrian Peterson, GB @ MIN, So Aaron Rodgers is the fourth best fantasy quarterback in most leagues this year, then how is it that Green Bay is only 4-4 and a game behind the Bears? Because their defense gives up over 140 yards per game. So you take one of the best running attacks and run it at the 27th ranked rush defense and you get big numbers out of Peterson, All Day.

3 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC @ DET, Jones-Drew squares off with the #31 rush defense this week. If you have an offensive starter for Jacksonville on your roster, start him this week.

4 Ronnie Brown, SEA @ MIA, Seattle’s rush defense numbers don’t look that bad on paper, until you look at the fact that most teams are pounding it up the middle late in the game to run the clock out after building an insurmountable lead. The dolphins lack a potent passing attack, so look for Ronnie Brown to run all over a decimated Seattle team

5 Matt Forte, TEN @ CHI, Tennessee may be the 10th ranked run defense in the league, but with Orton on the bench and Sexy Rexy at the helm, look for Forte to add several receptions to his rushing totals as the check down guy. Forte's dual running and receiving threat comes into play as he racks up solid combined yardage this week.

6 Willie Parker, IND @ PIT, Teams have figured out that the best way to beat the Colts this season is the pound away with the run. Look for a heavy dose of Parker, especially if Big Ben’s shoulder keeps him out this week.

7 Thomas Jones, STL @ NYJ, The Rams are among the worst teams in the league against the run. Look for that trend to continue, especially if their primary offensive weapon, Steven Jackson, is out. This puts their 29th ranked run defense on the field a lot more than they would like, but sets Jones up for a big week this week.

8 Marshawn Lynch, BUF @ NE, The one constant with the New England defense this year has been their inability to pursue. They are starting to show their age as teams figure out not to run right at them, but to run around them, especially late in games. Look for a large dose of Lynch off tackle and catching swing passes to exploit this.

9 Ray Rice, BAL @ HOU, Rice broke out last week against Cleveland’s 28th ranked rush defense. You need only look a little further down the rankings to find Rice’s next victim, the 23d ranked Houston Texans. Keep an eye on McGahee’s status for Sunday, as his health stands a better chance of stopping Rice than the Texans defense.

10 Brian Westbrook, NYG @ PHI, Westbrook is a perennial must start, even when facing one of the best run defenses in the league. He is another dual threat that racks up yards through the air when the ground attack falters. Look for more receiving yardage this week than rushing out of Westbrook.

Sleeper - Ryan Torain, DEN @ CLE, Mike Shanahan likes to date running backs, but never marry them. His flavor of the week this week is Ryan Torain, the rookie out of Arizona State. Finally back from injury, and with Young still nicked up and Pittman and Hall being placed on IR look for Torain to put up top tier numbers this week against the 28th ranked Browns. Just don’t fall in love with Torain yet; Shanahan changes running backs like Al Davis changes coaches.

Author: Derek BraunEmail: staleys1920@hattywaiverwireguru.com(Email Derek for trade advice, lineup adjustments, waiver wire options and other information to help you win in Week10)